UTEP vs. Oklahoma prediction: College football picks, odds, best bets Friday

No. 10 Oklahoma gets its 2026 campaign underway as a 41.5-point favorite over UTEP at Memorial Stadium on Friday night.

The Sooners are coming off a trip to the College Football Playoff (CFP) last year, but they have their work cut out for them if they want to return to the dance this winter.

Oklahoma has the third-toughest schedule in the country, making a visit from UTEP a vital opportunity to work out the kinks.

A trip to Michigan is on deck for Oklahoma.

UTEP vs. Oklahoma odds, prediction

Oklahoma was last seen collapsing at home against Alabama in the CFP.

A once-promising season was spoiled, but there are reasons to believe that the Sooners can fight their way through this brutal schedule.

While we associate Oklahoma with run-and-gun offenses, it was the defense that drove the bus last season and it will be the defense that will need to drive it again this year.

The good news is that the Sooners return 11 of the 20 defenders who saw 200-plus snaps last year and they have players who will be plying their trade Sundays at each level.

If things go the way they should, Oklahoma’s defense should be one of the best in the SEC, and thus, the country.

Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The offense is a different story.

While John Mateer is a Heisman hopeful under center, the running game is a question mark, which could put too much on the quarterback’s plate. That was the issue last year, as the offensive line struggled and Mateer wound up getting hurt.

Catch up on The Post’s college football betting predictions and previews for the 2026 season

• The Post’s college football betting roundtable: National champion, Heisman winners
• Arch Manning, Texas best bets: Back the Longhorns?
• Big Ten preview: Can this long shot make a run?
• Notre Dame football odds, picks, predictions: Fighting Irish will reach championship heights
• These sleepers can qualify for the CFP

UTEP may not be the team that punishes Oklahoma in the trenches, but head coach Brent Venables will know the last thing he needs is for his quarterback to be punished against the worst opponent on the schedule.

Don’t be surprised if this is closer than the odds imply, as Oklahoma handles this lookahead spot with the utmost caution.

The Play: UTEP +41.5 (-110, DraftKings)

Why Trust New York Post Betting

Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.